Extendible clasping device for watch-bracelets and the like



June 25, 1935. c. H. KESTENMAN 2,006,050

EXTENDIBLE CLASPING DEVICE FOR WATCH BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Filed May 25, 1935 12 Eig- /ZZZJWQ' Patented June 25, 1935 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXTENDIBLE CLASPING DEVICE FOR WATCH-BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Charles H. Kestenman, Providence, B. 1., assignor to Kestcnman Bros. Mtg. 00., Providence, R. L, a corporation of Rhode Island Application May 25, 1933, Serial No. 672,742

17 Claims. (Cl. 24-41) This invention relates to buckles, clasps and in which the parts are unclasped and unfolded like devices for securing the ends of wrist-:watch to extend the length of the bracelet; straps, bands, bracelets and similar articles; and Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts commore particularly to improvements in devices of pletely opened out; I 5 the type indicated wherein means are provided Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device with 5 for accurately adjusting, the length of the strap the parts shown in open relationship; or band to fit the wrist of the wearer. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar One object of the invention is to provide an to Fig. 2 showing the parts in closed relationship extendible fastening device for a strap, band or and illustrating the manner in which the ad 10 bracelet which, after the latter has been posijustable telescoping member is manually re- 10 tioned upon the wrist, may be folded and clasped leased to permit sliding movement thereof in in closed relationship and thereafter conveniently expanding or contracting the length of the adjusted to draw the strap or band snugly about bracelet; the wrist. I Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Another object of the invention is to provide a 'I-I of Fig. 2 and showing the parts of the 15 device of the type indicated having means whereclasp in closed relationship with the adjusting by the adjusting elements may be slid into telepawl engaging the stationary member of the scoping relationship to shorten the length of the clasp to maintain the slidable member in its strap, band or bracelet about the wrist without adjusted position; and

disturbing or affecting their clasped or folded Fig. 8 is a similar cross-sectional view taken 20 condition. on line ll of Fig. 6 and showing the pawl Another object of the invention is to provide released to per the adj member to be a device of the type indicated wherein the adjustdrawn outwardly from the clasp for expanding ing elements are maintained in their adjusted the length 0! the m e relationship when the clasp is unfolded or opened The Present improved device Comprises in 25 out, whereby the adjustment of the elements is a e Series Of eeepelating members which a not disturbed and the band or bracelet may be hinged]? connected at theil ends to adapt them replaced on the wrist without necessitating readto be folded n closed relationship, One Over justrnent of the parts. the other, or to be opened out into extended po- Another object of the invention is to provide t n to lengthen the strap band bracelet 30 a device of the type indicated comprising a minihaving ends connected theI'etO- The DD mum number of parts adapted for economical Site ends of the p. bend bracelet a P vmanufacture from sheet-metal stock and coneta-11y attached to the free ends of e v c venient for assembling without the use of solder, 80 that when the perils thereof are folded into screws or other extraneous parts. overlying relationship the strap the like W Another object of the invention is to provide a be drawn snugly around h w t; and when device of the type indicated which is neat and the folding elements a op n out the bracelet ornamental in appearance with its mechanical will be lengthened cehsidela-ble extent to adjusting means entirely concealed from view; adapt it to Slide the n of the wearer- 40 and one which is proof against derangement or The present improvement relates pa cu arly 40 getting out of order. to means for accurately adjusting the length of Further objects of the invention are set forth the bracelet to fit the wrist of the Wearerh in the following specification which describes a adjustment is eflected by manually SeD preferred form of construction of the device, by a Slidable membelfihto the Shdeble way of example, as illustrated by the accompan member being provided with res1l1ent means en- 45 ing drawing. In the drawing: I gageable with suitable detent-apertures the Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a con- Clasp memteih the D in their l ted ventional type of wrist-watch having a two-part rele-tienship- The adjustment t e e strap attached thereto with its ends secured tois not disturbed When the clasp 1S p e h gether by the present improved extendible claspits parts unfolded into extended rele-tlonshlp- 50 mg device; Means movable with respect to the slidable mem- Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view her are also provided for manually releasing the of the clasping device showing the parts in clasped resilient detent-means whereby the slidable relationship; member may be withdrawn from the clasp to Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the manner extend the length of the bracelet. 55

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, 2 dealsnates a conventional type of wrist-watch having balls 3 on its sides to which the ends of the opposite strap-sections 4 and 5 are attached by means of connectors 6. The present improved extendible clasp or fastening device is herein shown as applied to use with. a strap or bracelet composed of articulated links, but in other cases it may be employed with a reticulated fabric or leather strap. The term strap" is therefore herein employed in a generic sense to designate any suchform of band or bracelet. The main portion of the clasp comprises three cooperating extension members, namely: a base element 1, a connecting'element 8, and a top element or cover 9. These members may be constructed as stampings struck up from sheetmetal stock and curved to conform to the contour of the wearer's wrist.

The base member I is'of trough shape, being constituted by a plate It having side flanges ll folded upwardly therefrom. As shown most clearly in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, the upper edges of the side flanges II are curved inwardly at l2 to serve as detents for holding the top element or cover 9 in closed position in the manner and for the purpose as later explained. At one end of the member 1 the side flanges II are apertured to receive a. hinge-pin I3 around which is looped a connector-link IS. The connector l5 may be of any desired construction and as herein shown comprises a sheet-metal loop, one end of which receives the hinge-pin l3 with the oppwite end engaging the end bar of the strap-section 4. The base member I is formed at its opposite end with a loop-like bearing l6 for a hinge-pin l1, upon which the connecting member 8 is pivoted in the manner as next explained.

The connector-element 8, previously mentioned, consists of a plate 19 with side flanges 20 folded upwardly therefrom. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, the plate-portion I9 is cut away centrally to form a rectangular aperture 2| which extends throughout the greater part of its length for a purpose as later explained. The side flanges 20 of the element 8 are extended beyond the ends of the plate-portion l9 to provide hinge-ears 22 and 23. The hinge-ears 22 'are punched with circular holes for receiving the hinge-pin IT, by means of which the two elements 1 and 8 are pivotally connected at their ends. Referring to Fig. 5, the opposite hinge-ears 23 are perforated to receive a hinge-pin 24 on the top or cover member 9, to be next described, whereby the three elements I, 8 and 9 are pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded together, one over the other in the manner as later more fully explained.

The top element or cover 9 is constituted by a plate-portion 26 having side flanges 21 bent downwardly therefrom. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the plate-portion 26 is transversely arched or convexed slightly and may be suitably engraved or otherwise adorned to present an ornamental appearance. The side flanges 21 are bent inwardly at the bottom to form flanges 28 opposite the plate-portion 26 whereby to provide guideways 29 in which the adjusting elements, to be later described, are adapted to slide. The side flanges 21 are indented on the inside to form outwardly projecting protuberances or projections 30 of substantially rectangular outline, see Figs. 5, 7 and 8. The projections 30 are adapted to snap under the edges of the inwardly extending detent-portions [2 of the base member 1 when the parts of the clasp are folded into closed or clasped relationship in the manner as later more fully explained. The side flanges 21 are cut away at one end as shown at 3| to provide clearanoe for the connector-link 15 when the parts are clasped together. The plate-portion 26 is extended at one end to provide a curved lip 32 adapted to serve as a finger-grip in opening the clasp. The opposite end of the plate-portion 2B is provided with an extension or ear 33 which is bent downwardly to form a stop for limiting the sliding movement of the adjusting elements in the manner as later explained.

As thus far described the construction and arrangement of the foldable elements I, 8 and 9 is somewhat similar to previous devices used in the art, it being understood that the end of one strap-section 4 is attached to the free end of the member I while the end of the other section 5 is connected directly to the free end of the cover member 9. In this manner the clasping device permits the lengthening of the strap of a wristwatch to adapt it to be slipped over the hand of the wearer without requiring the disconnection of one or both ends of the strap. The folding elements of most previously used extendible clasping devices are, however, relatively fixed when in closed arrangement and the over-all length thereof is of predetermined dimension. Hence, to adjust the strap to fit wrists varying in size it is necessary to remove links from or to add others to the strap-sections 4 and 5. In accordance with the prevailing mode, wrist watch bracelets are composed of relatively long links and to remove one link from or to add another to the bracelet results in too great an alteration in the length thereof so that it is sometimes impossible to obtain the proper fit. That is to say, with previously used methods of adjusting the length of the bracelet a minute change cannot be readily obtained to secure a comfortable and snug fit about the wrist.

To obviate the dimculties above noted the present invention contemplates means for minutely adjusting the length of the bracelet after the. latter has been positioned on the wrist. In the present embodiment of the invention a slidable extension member 35 is provided for connection with the end of the strap-section 5 and, preferably, the member 35 is telescopically received within the cover member 9 of the clasping device.

Positioned within the cover member 9 is a ratchet-plate 49 provided with rectangular apertures 50 equally spaced along its length. The ratchet-plate 49 is formed atone end with a looped bearing 5! adapted to fit between the hinge-ears 23 of the connecting element 8 to receive the hinge-pin 24, previously mentioned. It will be understood that the pin 24 is inserted through the alining holes or perforations in the side flanges 21, the hinge-ears 23 and loop 5| with the ends of the pin riveted over against the side flanges 21 to hold the parts in permanent connection. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 5 and '7 that the ratchet-plate 49 is of appropriate width to adapt it to fit snugly between the side flanges 21 of the cover 9. Through this provision lateral displacement of the plate 49 and the connecting element 8 is prevented. The opposite or free end of the ratchet-plate 49 is held against the plate-portion 26 of the cover member 9 by means of the slidable member 35, before mentioned, which slides thereover.

The slidable extension member 35 comprises a plate-portion 35 formed with side flanges 31 which are folded inwardly as shown at 38 in Figs. '7 and 8 to overlie the plate-portion 35 in spaced relation thereto. In'this manner guideways 39 are formed in the sides of the member 35 for receiving a releasing member 55, to be later described, which is arranged to slide therein. As shown in Fig. 5, the plate-portion 35 of the member 35 is cut away centrally throughout the greater part of its length to form a rectangular opening 40 with strips 4! and 42 at its ends connecting the side flanges 31. The strap-section 5 is pivotally connected to the crossstrip 42 of the member 35 by means of a conhector-link l5 similar to that previously described.

The opposite cross-strip 4| is provided with a longitudinally-extending pawl-arm 44 which extends between the sides of the rectangular opening 40. The pawl-arm 44 is bent downwardly as shown in Fig. 4 and then extended longitudinally to underlie the ratchet-plate 49 in spaced parallel relation thereto. The pawl-arm 44 is provided at its end with a pair of upwardly projecting pointed prongs or fingers adapted to snap into the rectangular apertures 50 in the ratchet-plate 49 to maintain the extension member 35 in its adjusted position on the clasp in the manner as later more fully explained.

Manually-operated means are herein provided for releasing the pawl from engagement with the ratchet-plate 49 in order that the member 35 may be withdrawn to extend the length of the bracelet. The releasing means consists in a plate which is slidable in the guideways 39 of the extension member 35. As shown in Fig. 5, the plate 55 is formed with a central elongated hole or opening 56 corresponding to the opening 40 in the member'35. The plate 55 is provided at one end with an end strip or bar 51 which is adapted to engage against the rearward inclined edges 53 of the pawl-fingers 45 to cam the latter downwardly to release them from engagement with the ratchet-plate 49 whereby the member 35 may be slid longitudinally of the clasp.

At the opposite end of the releasing plate 55 is a similar end bar 55 which is curled around to form a loop 50 adapted to serve as a finger-grip in operating the releasing member 55. The adjusting elements 35 and 55 are assembled within the cover member 9 by sliding them into place in the guideways thereof. After the elements 35 and 55 are positioned in this mannerthe ear 33 on the cover member 9 is bent or folded downwardly to retain them in. place. The ear 33 is adapted to engage the end of the pawl 44 to limit the sliding movement of the member 35 in withdrawing it from the clasp. The various parts of the structure having now been described in detail, the method of operation of the complete device will next be explained.

Assuming that the parts of the clasping device are in open or extended relationship as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the bracelet may be slipped over the hand onto the wrist of the wearer. To clasp the bracelet about the wristthe connector-element 8 is first folded upon the base member I,

'see Fig. 3, and the cover member 9 next folded proper clasping of the parts.

l2 on the base member 1. The cover member 9 is pressed firmly against the base member 1 until the detent-protuberances 30 snap across the edges of the flange-portions I 2 whereby the parts I, 8 and 9 are securely clasped together.

As before pointed out, when the parts of the clasp are secured together it often happens that the bracelet is too loosely fitted to the wrist. For the purpose of accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet about the wrist the wearer makes use of the slidable extension member 35. This member may be slid inwardly into the clasp proper to draw the ends of the bracelet closer together. When the parts of the clasp are folded into overlying relationship the pawl 44 bears resiliently against the ratchet-plate 49; it being understood that before adjusting the member 35 its pawl 44 is usually positioned at the extreme free end 0! the cover member 9 abutting the stop-finger 33.

To reduce the length of the bracelet the member 35 is slid longitudinally of the clasp to cause its pawl 44' to ride over and engage successively with the cross-strips separating the apertures 50 of the ratchet-plate 49. When the slide member 35 has been slid inwardly to theposition required to effect a snug tit of the bracelet about the wrist. pressure on the slide is relieved and the pawl 44 comes to restwith its fingers or prongs 45 engaging the edge of one of the apertures 59. Due to its inherent resilience the pawl 44 engages positively with the edges of the apertures to prevent the member 35 from being accidentally withdrawn from the clasp. .The sliding movement of the member 35 in no way afiects the As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the apertures 50 are relatively small and closely spaced to provide for a minute adjusting oi the member 35 on the clasp in drawing the ends of the bracelet together.

When it is desired to remove the bracelet from the wrist the device is'uncla-sped by inserting the fingernail under the lip or finger-grip 32 and prying the cover member 9 upwardly whereby to free its detent-protuberances 30 from the edges of the flange-portions ii on the base member 1. The members I, 8 and 9 maythen be swung about their respective hinge-pins IT and 24 and opened out in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Due to the resiliency of the pawl 44 its fingers or prongs 45 are maintained in engagement with the edge of the aperture 50 to which it has previously been adjusted.

When the hand is comparatively small. with the 'clasping device opened out in the manner as above explained the bracelet is extended in length sufficiently to permit it to he slipped over the hand. In other instances however, when the hand is relatively broad. further expansion in the length of the bracelet is necessary to enable it to be passed freely over the hand. To effect a greater expansion in the length of the bracelet the wearer simply grasps thelooped finger-piece 50 and draws the releasing member 55 toward the end of the strap-section 5 with its lateral edges sliding in the guideways 39 of the member 35. As the member 55 is manually operated in this manner its end bar 51 engages against the inclined edges 53 of the pawl-fingers 45 and acts to cam the latter downwardly as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. The fingers 45 are thus released from the ratchet-plate 49 so that the slide member 35 may be withdrawn from the clasp by sliding it in the guideways 29 of the cover member 9. The extent of movement of the member 35 is limited by the engagement of its pawl-fingers 45 with the stop-finger or abutment 33 on the cover member 9. With the device completely opened out in the manner as explained the bracelet may be slippedover the hand of the wearer without requiring disconnection of its ends from the watch to which it is attached. The slidable member 35 greatly facilitates the operation of placing the bracelet on or removing it from the.wrist of the wearer since it provides for maximum extension thereof.

The slidable extension member 35 may also be withdrawn when the clasping members 1, 8 and 9 are in closed relationship as indicated in Fig. 6 in order to enlarge the bracelet should the latter fit too closely or snugly upon the wrist after the initial adjustment has been made. To provide for this the connector-element 8 is provided with the elongated opening into which the bottom of the pawl 44 is forced under the camming action of the releasing member 55 in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. Through this provision the bracelet may be either lengthened or shortened without requiring unclasping of the main parts of the device.

It is to be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an extendible clasping device which is simple in construction and adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal stampings which are easily assembled without the use of solder.

As one feature of the improvement, means are provided for accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet in which the device is incorporated. This means is so arranged in the device that it may be operated manually when the clasp is closed to draw the ends of the bracelet closer together or to permit of their separation to provide for comfortable fit about the wrist of the wearer.

As another feature of improvement the adjusting means is completely enclosed within the clasp and the device is thus rendered free from unsightly projections to greatly improve the appearance of the article.

The device is extremely neat and ornamental in appearance, efiicient in use and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a member adapted for connection to one end of a bracelet, a second member slidable on the first member and adapted to be connected to the opposite end of the bracelet, ratchet means on one of said members, latch means on the other member engageable with the ratchet means for retaining the members in adjusted relationship, and means slidable longitudinally of said members to release the latch means from the ratchet means.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a member adapted for connection to one end of a bracelet, a second member slidable on the first member and adapted to be connected to the opposite end of the bracelet, ratchet means on one of said members, a pawl on the other member engageable with the ratchet means to hold said members in different positions of adjustment, and manually-operable means slidable longitudinally of said members to cam against the pawl to release it from the ratchet means,

3. A clasping device of the type specified comprising a series of foldable members, an extension member slidably connected to one of said foldable members, means for adjusting the extension member longitudinally of said foldable member, and means incorporated in the extension member and slidable longitudinally thereof for releasing the adjusting means.

4. A clasping device of the-type specified comprising a series of foldable members, a slidable member arranged for longitudinal movement relatively of one of said foldable members, a ratchet carried by said foldable member, means on the slidable member for engaging the ratchet to maintain the slidable member in different positions of longitudinal adjustment, and means movable longitudinally of the slidable member to release the ratchet-engaging means.

5. A clasping device of the type specified com prising a series of foldable members, a ratchet carried by one of the foldable members, an extension member slidably connected to said foldable member and having means engageable with the ratchet, and means carried by and slidable longitudinally of the extension member to release the means on the latter from engagement with the ratchet.

6. A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member connecting the ends of the base member and cover member, an extension member slidably arranged within the cover member, a ratchet and latch means on the cover member and extension member for holding the latter in different positions of adjustment on the cover member, and manually-operable means slidable on the extension member to release the latch means from the ratchet means.

7 A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the ends of the base member and cover member to adapt them to be folded together in overlying relationship, ratchet means on the cover member, an extension member telescopically mounted Within the cover member, resilient means on the extension member cooperating with the ratchet means to hold the extension member in different positions of adjustment, and slidable means for releasing the holding means to permit withdrawal movement of the extension member. v

8. A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the ends of the base member and cover member to adapt the parts to be folded into overlying relationship, a ratchet member pivotally mounted within the cover member, a slidable extension member telescopically arranged within the cover member, and a resilient pawl on the extension member adapted to engage the ratchet member to maintain the extension member in different positions of longitudi nal adjustment with respect to the cover member.

9. A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member connected to the ends of the base member and cover member, an extension member arranged for longitudinal sliding movement within the cover member, a ratchet-plate carried by the cover member, means on the slidable member for engaging the ratchet-plate to hold the slidable member in different positions of adjustment in the cover member, and means slidable longitudinally of the slidable member for releasing the ratchet-engaging means to permit withdrawal movement of the slidable member.

10. A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the ends of the base member and cover member, a slidable member arranged for longitudinal movement within the cover member, a ratchet-plate carried by the cover member andprovided with apertures, a pawl on the slidable member for engaging the edges of the apertures to maintain the slidable member in various positions of adjustment within the cover member, and means slidable longitudinally of the slidable member to release the pawl from engagement with the edges of the apertures to permit withdrawal movement of the slidable member.

11. In a device of the type specified, the combination ofa base member, a cover member, a foldable member connecting the ends of the base member and cover member, a ratchet carried by the cover member, an extension member telescopically arranged within the cover member, a pawl on the extension member for engaging the ratchet, said pawl being provided with a cam, and a member slidable on the extension member and engageable with the cam on the pawl to release the latter from engagement with the ratchet.

12. In a device of the type specified, the comgitudinally of the cover member, and means slidable longitudinally of the extension member for releasing the holding means. 7 j

13. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a cover member, a foldable member connected to the ends of the base member and cover member to adapt them to fold together in overlying relationship, a hingepin carried by the cover member, a ratchet-plate pivotally mounted on the hinge-pin, an extension member telescopically mounted withinthe cover member and acting to hold the ratchet-plate against the inner face of the cover member to prevent pivotal movement thereof, a resilient pawl on the extension member engageable with the ratchet-plate, and means carried by the extension member and slidable with respect thereto for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-plate.

14. In a device or the type specified, the combination of a base member, a cover member, a toldable member hingedly connected to the ends of the base member and cover member, a ratchet plate carried by the cover member and formed with apertures, an extension member slidably arranged within the cover member, said extension member being formed with guideways in its sides and a pawl at one end for engaging the edges of the apertures in the ratchet-plate, a releasing member slidably arranged within the guideways of the extension member, and means on the releasing member for engaging the pawl to release it from engagement with the edges of the apertures on the ratchet-plate.

15. In a device of the typespecified, the combination of a base member, a cover member, a foldable member connecting the ends of the base member and cover member, an extension member slidable within the cover member, pawl and ratchet means for holding the extension member in different positions of adjustment within the cover member, and means carried by the extension member and slidable with respect thereto for releasing the pawl means from the ratchet means to permit the extension'member to be withdrawn from the cover member.

16. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a cover member, a foldable member connecting the ends of the base member and cover member, an extension member slidably arranged within the cover member, a pawl on the extension member, means on the cover member cooperating with the pawl to releasably hold the extension member in dififerent positions of longitudinal adjustment, and a manually-operable releasing member slidable longitudinally of the extension member and engageable with the pawl to release the latter from the holding means. i

17. Ina device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a cover member, a

foldable member connecting the ends of the base member and cover member, a ratchet-plate carried by. the cover member and formed with detent-apertures, an extension member slidable within the cover member and provided with a resilient pawl cooperating with the detent-apertures to maintain the extension member in difierent positions of adjustment within the cover member, said pawl being formed with a camportion, and a manually-operable releasing member slidably arranged within the extension member and having a portion engageable with the cam-portion of the pawl to disengage the latter from the detentapertures.

l CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

